Thirty patients with acute lower abdominal pain of uncertain
diagnosis were the material of this study. After a short time of
observation without a definitive diagnosis, laparoscopic exploration
was performed to help in establishing a correct diagnosis and
management and avoid unnecessary laparotomy. At laparoscopy the
diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made in ten patients.
Gynaecological pathology was diagnosed in thirteen patients, one
. patient had Mekel's diverticulitis, while in six patients no definitive
pathology was lbund One patient among the last six had acute
appendicitis as the appendix was not visualized completely,
laparoscopy reduced the number of unnecessary laparotomy.
The procedures and the results were reviewed with the conclusion
that laparoscopy is safe and useful as a diagnostic and therapeutic
tool in management of patients with uncertain diagnosis of acute
lower abdominal pain.